by Ivory Rubin
Each of the reasons listed in this article, clearly with the exception of "children", seem to be issues that are relative...meaning, there is a practical solution that is based on an individual's choice and planning style.
However, children present an entirely different and more emotion-ladened decision-making process. But, perhaps there could be a movement to have qualified and effective child care services become part of the amenities of golf clubs/courses. Also, is it possible for an appreciable number of women golfers with children, living in a common geographical location, to work out a golf-specific program with existing child-care facilities?

by Tom L
Interesting comments. My wife considered the child-care facilities when she joined a gym. How hard would it be for a club to set up child care in a seldom used "banquet room"?

by Barbara Bell
Dads bring their kids to the course at a fairly early age to teach them the game. Why can't Moms do the same? Bring your daughter at age 4 with her own small clubs (buy used ones) and let her putt on the practice green or hit a small bucket of balls. From then on, she will enjoy sharing time with you and learning the game.
Both my grandchildren (a boy and a girl) play with us when they come to visit. We bought their first clubs for them.
You may need to find an executive course or municipal course while they are still learning, but it will give you a chance to get back in the game as well.

by Jim Koppenhaver
Jennifer,
Would be interested to know the factual basis for your comment in the recent article about Women in Golf that women are the fastest-growing group in golf. I run a golf information and insight company and we do an annual golf consumer survey which has shown for the past 3 years women as a component of the total golfer base has actually declined! Various trade organizations (National Golf Foundation, Executive Women's Golf Assoc. etc.) continue to publish accounts of women being a "growth" engine for golf however, to the best of my knowledge, not one of these groups has produced factual numbers which support this claim.
I agree with the points you made in your commentary and many of them apply to males as well in explaining why the golfer base has declined over the past three years. Being a fellow journalist, it is important however to have a solid fact-base as the jumping off point for intelligent discussion.
Regards,
Jim Koppenhaver
President, Pellucid Corp.

by Lorraine Scicluna
Jim
You have a point, and the numbers back it up over here in the UK. So much so that there is a major review going on into the sport and in particular why women are leaving it. But not only women, seems there's a broader issue about time and money, and therefore who joins and who stays. Too expensive to play and too much time. Take gyms for example, they're running 30 minute speed classes to cater for changing customer needs. How do you see the future of golf participation unfolding?